Image Guided Surgery System Guide Wire and Methods of Manufacturing and Use

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a guide wire system comprising (a) a guide wire having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the guide wire comprises a superelastic material, (b) a first connector coupled to the proximal end of the guide wire, (c) a second connector coupled to the guide wire between the distal end and the proximal end, (d) an electromagnetic sensor coupled to the distal end of the guide wire, and (e) a polymeric tube surrounding the guide wire and at least a portion of the electromagnetic sensor.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/899,999 entitled “Image Guided Surgery System Guide Wire and Methodsof Manufacture and Use,” filed on Sep. 13, 2019, the contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a guide wire system and moreparticularly to guide wire systems and methods of manufacture and usethat are useable in conjunction with image guided surgery systems tofacilitate insertion and positioning of various other apparatus atdesired locations within the body, in particular the sinus cavities.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this application and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Sinusitis is a condition affecting over 35 million Americans, andsimilarly large populations in the rest of the developed world.Sinusitis occurs when one or more of the four paired sinus cavities(i.e., maxillary, ethmoid, frontal, sphenoid) becomes obstructed, orotherwise has compromised drainage. Normally the sinus cavities, each ofwhich are lined by mucosa, produce mucous which is then moved by beatingcilia from the sinus cavity out to the nasal cavity and down the throat.The combined sinuses produce approximately one liter of mucous daily, sothe effective transport of this mucous is important to sinus health.

Each sinus cavity has a drainage pathway or outflow tract opening intothe nasal passage. This drainage passageway can include an ostium, aswell as a “transition space” in the region of the ostia, such as the“frontal recess,” in the case of the frontal sinus, or an “ethmoidalinfundibulum,” in the case of the maxillary sinus. When the mucosa ofone or more of the ostia or regions near the ostia become inflamed, theegress of mucous is interrupted, setting the stage for an infectionand/or inflammation of the sinus cavity, i.e., sinusitis. Though manyinstances of sinusitis may be treatable with appropriate medicates, insome cases sinusitis persists for months or more, a condition calledchronic sinusitis, and may not respond to medical therapy. Some patientsare also prone to multiple episodes of sinusitis in a given period oftime, a condition called recurrent acute sinusitis.

Balloon dilation has been applied to treat constricted sinus passagewaysfor the treatment of sinusitis. These balloon dilation devices typicallyinvolve the use of an inflatable balloon located at the distal end of acatheter such as a balloon catheter. Generally, the inflatable balloonis inserted into the constricted sinus passageway in a deflated statevia the use of a guide wire that is positioned in the desired nasalcavity using an image guided surgery system. The balloon is thenexpanded to open or reduce the degree of constriction in the sinuspassageway being treated to facilitate better sinus drainage andventilation. At the same time most, if not all, of the functionalmucosal tissue lining of the sinuses and their drainage passageways arepreserved.

While guide wire systems exist for use in placement of nasal treatmentdevices, improved guide wire systems, methods of manufacture, andmethods of use may be desirable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is related to guide wire systems, methods ofmanufacture, and methods of use. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to guide wire systems for use in combination withimage guided surgery systems for treating nasal afflictions such assinusitis.

In one example, the present disclosure provides a guide wire system. Theguide wire system includes a guide wire having a distal end and aproximal end, wherein the guide wire comprises a superelastic materialthat is configured to (i) transition from a first configuration to asecond configuration responsive to a force applied to the guide wire and(ii) return from the second configuration to the first configurationresponsive to the force being removed from the guide wire. The guidewire system also includes a first connector coupled to the proximal endof the guide wire. The guide wire system also includes a secondconnector coupled to the guide wire between the distal end and theproximal end. The guide wire system also includes an electromagneticsensor coupled to the distal end of the guide wire. The guide wiresystem also includes a polymeric tube surrounding at least a portion ofthe guide wire and at least a portion of the electromagnetic sensor.

In another example, the present disclosure provides a methodmanufacturing a guide wire system. The method includes positioning afirst connector at a proximal end of a guide wire, wherein the guidewire comprises a superelastic material that is configured to (i)transition from a first configuration to a second configurationresponsive to a force applied to the guide wire and (ii) return from thesecond configuration to the first configuration responsive to the forcebeing removed from the guide wire. The method also includes positioninga second connector on the guide wire between a distal end of the guidewire and the proximal end of the guide wire. The method also includespositioning an electromagnetic sensor at the distal end of the guidewire. The method also includes positioning a polymeric tube around atleast a portion of the guide wire and at least a portion of theelectromagnetic sensor. The method also includes applying a heat sourceto at least a portion of the polymeric tube.

In yet another example, the present disclosure provides a method oftreating a sinus cavity of a subject. The method includes inserting adistal portion of a guide wire system into a lumen of a balloon dilationcatheter, the guide wire system including: (i) a guide wire having adistal end and a proximal end, wherein the guide wire comprises asuperelastic material that is configured to (1) transition from a firstconfiguration to a second configuration responsive to a force applied tothe guide wire and (2) return from the second configuration to the firstconfiguration responsive to the force being removed from the guide wire,(ii) a first connector coupled to the proximal end of the guide wire,(iii) a second connector coupled to the guide wire between the distalend and the proximal end, (iv) an electromagnetic sensor coupled to thedistal end of the guide wire, and (v) a polymeric tube surrounding atleast a portion of the guide wire and at least a portion of theelectromagnetic sensor, and the balloon dilation catheter including: (i)an inner guide member including the lumen, and (ii) a movable shaftcoupled to a balloon and mounted on the inner guide member, wherein theballoon dilation catheter is configured to allow the movable shaft tomove along the inner guide member and prevent the movable shaft fromrotating around the inner guide member. The method also includescoupling the second connector of the guide wire system to the balloondilation catheter such the distal end of the guide wire is fixed withrespect to a distal end of the balloon dilation catheter. The methodalso includes directing the distal end of the guide wire and the distalend of the balloon dilation catheter simultaneously to a drainagepathway of the sinus cavity using data received from the electromagneticsensor. The method also includes inflating the balloon.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading thefollowing detailed description, with reference where appropriate to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is side view of the guide wire, according to an example.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the guide wiresystem of FIG. 1, according to an example.

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the distal end of the guidewire system of FIG. 2, according to an example.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the guide wire system of FIG. 1,according to an example.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a distal portion of the guide wiresystem of FIG. 4, according to an example.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart for a method of manufacturing a guide wiresystem, according to an example.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart for a method of treating a sinus cavity of asubject, according to an example.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart for another method of treating a sinus cavityof a subject, according to an example.

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart for another method of treating a sinus cavityof a subject, according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods and systems are described herein. It should beunderstood that the words “example,” “exemplary,” and “illustrative” areused herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.”Any example or feature described herein as being an “example,” being“exemplary,” or being “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construedas preferred or advantageous over other examples or features. Theexamples described herein are not meant to be limiting. It will bereadily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, asgenerally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can bearranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a widevariety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated herein.

Furthermore, the particular arrangements shown in the Figures should notbe viewed as limiting. It should be understood that other examples mayinclude more or less of each element shown in a given Figure. Further,some of the illustrated elements may be combined or omitted. Yetfurther, an example may include elements that are not illustrated in theFigures.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may bepracticed without some or all of these particulars. In other instances,details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts will bedescribed in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understoodthat these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are usedherein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal,positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which theseterms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does notrequire or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbereditem, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element,component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function isindeed capable of performing the specified function without anyalteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specifiedfunction after further modification. In other words, the system,apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware“configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected,created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for thepurpose of performing the specified function. As used herein,“configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus,structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable thesystem, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardwareto perform the specified function without further modification. Forpurposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article,element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to”perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively bedescribed as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” performthat function.

The limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expresslyuse the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void offurther structure.

By the term “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” with referenceto amounts or measurement values described herein, it is meant that therecited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achievedexactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example,tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations andother factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amountsthat do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended toprovide.

Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may or may not be claimed,of the subject matter according the present disclosure are providedbelow.

With reference to the Figures, FIG. 1 is guide wire system 100 accordingto an example, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-Aof the guide wire system of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide wiresystem 100 includes a guide wire 102 having a distal end 104 and aproximal end 106. The guide wire system 100 further includes a firstconnector 108 coupled to the proximal end 106 of the guide wire 102, anda second connector 110 coupled to the guide wire 102 between the distalend 104 and the proximal end 106. An electromagnetic sensor 112 iscoupled to the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102. The guide wiresystem 100 further includes a polymeric tube 114 surrounding at least aportion of the guide wire 102 and at least a portion of theelectromagnetic sensor 112. In one example, the guide wire system 100 isdiscarded after each procedure. In another example, the guide wiresystem 100 can be sanitized and reused after each procedure.

The guide wire 102 comprises a superelastic material. When mechanicallyloaded, a superelastic material deforms reversibly to high strains (upto 10%) by the creation of a stress-induced phase. When the load isremoved, the new phase becomes unstable and the material regains itsoriginal shape automatically. As such, the guide wire 102 is configuredto (i) transition from a first configuration to a second configurationresponsive to a force applied to the guide wire 102, and (ii) returnfrom the second configuration to the first configuration responsive tothe force being removed from the guide wire 102. In one particularexample, the guide wire 102 has a straight shape in the firstconfiguration and a bent shape in the second configuration. Thesuperelasticity of the guide wire 102 provides kink resistance andtensile strength to the guide wire system 100. In one particularexample, the superelastic material comprises a nickel titanium alloy,such as nitinol. Other superelastic materials are possible as well. Theguide wire 102 can include a lubricious coating that reduces frictionbetween the guide wire 102 and other components of the guide wire system100. A diameter of the guide wire 102 ranges from about 0.4 mm to about1 mm.

In one example, a stiffness of the guide wire 102 is constant along anentire length of the guide wire 102 from the proximal end 106 to thedistal end 104. In another example, a stiffness of a distal portion ofthe guide wire 102 is less than a stiffness of a proximal portion of theguide wire 102. In such an example, a length of the distal portion ofthe guide wire 102 is less than a length of the proximal portion of theguide wire 102. The reduced stiffness of the distal portion of the guidewire 102 may provide increased flexibility of the distal portion of theguide wire 102, which may be advantageous in certain use cases.

In one example, a diameter of the guide wire 102 is constant along anentire length of the guide wire 102 from the proximal end 106 to thedistal end 104. In another example, a diameter of a distal portion ofthe guide wire 102 is less than a diameter of a proximal portion of theguide wire 102. In such an example, a length of the distal portion ofthe guide wire 102 is less than a length of the proximal portion of theguide wire 102. The reduced diameter at the distal portion of the guidewire 102 may provide increased flexibility of the distal portion of theguide wire 102, which may be advantageous in certain use cases.

As shown in FIG. 1 and as described above, the guide wire system 100includes the first connector 108 coupled to the proximal end 106 of theguide wire 102. In one example, the first connector 108 comprises a pinconnector, such as a 10-pin connector as a non-limiting example. Inanother example, the polymeric tube 114 surrounds at least a portion ofthe first connector 108, and the first connector 108 is secured to theproximal end 106 of the guide wire 102 via a heat bond between thepolymeric tube 114 and the guide wire 102. In another example, the guidewire system 100 further includes a second polymeric tube positionedaround the guide wire 102 between the first connector 108 and the secondconnector 110.

The first connector 108 can include a flexible circuit that includes amemory chip configured to transmit an identification of the guide wiresystem 100 to an image guided surgery system when the first connector108 is coupled to the image guided surgery system. The flexible circuitcomprises an electronic circuit that is assembled by mounting electronicdevices on flexible plastic substrates. As examples, the flexibleplastic substrate can be formed from at least one material chosen frompolyimide, Polyether ether ketone, and transparent conductive polyesterfilm. Such a design enables the circuit board to conform to a desiredshape, or to flex during its use.

As shown in FIG. 1 and as described above, the guide wire system 100includes the second connector 110 coupled to the guide wire 102 betweenthe distal end 104 and the proximal end 106. In one example, the secondconnector 110 comprises a bayonet connector configured to interact witha complementary bayonet connector of balloon dilation catheter tothereby couple the guide wire system 100 to the balloon dilationcatheter. In one particular example, the second connector 110 is coupledto a handpiece of balloon dilation catheter. A geometry of the secondconnector 110 with respect to the balloon dilation catheter allows auser to set a desired distance between the distal end 104 of the guidewire 102 and a distal end of the balloon dilation catheter. In oneexample, when the second connector 110 is coupled to the balloondilation catheter, the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 is alignedwith a distal end of the balloon dilation catheter. In another example,when the second connector 110 is coupled to the balloon dilationcatheter, the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 extends distally froma distal end of the balloon dilation catheter.

Exemplary balloon dilation catheters and methods of use particularlysuited for the dilation of anatomic structures associated with thesinuses and use with the guide wire system 100 are disclosed, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,282,667 which is incorporated by referenceherein.

As shown in FIG. 1 and as described above, the guide wire system 100includes an electromagnetic sensor 112 positioned at the distal end 104of the guide wire 102. When in use, the electromagnetic sensor 112 isconfigured to interact with an image guided surgery system to transmitdata to the image guided surgery system indicating a location of theelectromagnetic sensor 112. Since the electromagnetic sensor 112 ispositioned at the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102, the transmittedlocation of the electromagnetic sensor 112 corresponds to a location ofthe distal end 104 of the guide wire 102. As discussed in additionaldetail below, this information can be used to ensure a device (such as aballoon dilation catheter) is properly positioned in a desired nasalcavity to thereby treat nasal afflictions such as sinusitis.

In one example, the electromagnetic sensor 112 is potted by an epoxyprior to being coupled to the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102. Inanother example, the electromagnetic sensor 112 is coupled to the distalend 104 of the guide wire 102 by being potted by an epoxy. Potting theelectromagnetic sensor 112 in an epoxy may provide a more robust sensorthat is able to better withstand the rigors of multiple nasal cavityprocedures. In yet another example, the electromagnetic sensor 112 maybe secured to the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 via a radiofrequency (RF) tipping die. Utilizing an RF tipping die provides abenefit of joining the electromagnetic sensor 112 to the distal end 104of the guide wire 102 without the use of adhesive. Further, the RFtipping die prevents movement of the electromagnetic sensor 112 as theRF tipping die joins the electromagnetic sensor 112 to the polymerictube 114.

In one example, the guide wire system 100 further includes a camerapositioned at the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102. In such anexample, the electromagnetic sensor 112 may work in combination with thecamera to provide a medical professional with the location of the distalend 104 of the guide wire 102.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flowchart for a method 200 of manufacturing aguide wire system is shown according to an example. The method steps ofmethod 200 may be carried out to manufacture the guide wire system 100as described above in relation to FIGS. 1-5. Method 200 may include oneor more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or moreof blocks 202-210. Although the blocks are illustrated in a sequentialorder, these blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in adifferent order than those described herein. Also, the various blocksmay be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks,and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

As shown in FIG. 6, at block 202, the method 200 includes positioning afirst connector 108 at a proximal end 106 of a guide wire 102. Asdescribed above in relation to FIGS. 1-5, the guide wire 102 comprises asuperelastic material that is configured to (i) transition from a firstconfiguration to a second configuration responsive to a force applied tothe guide wire 102 and (ii) return from the second configuration to thefirst configuration responsive to the force being removed from the guidewire 102. At block 204, the method 200 includes positioning a secondconnector 110 on the guide wire 102 between a distal end 104 of theguide wire 102 and the proximal end 106 of the guide wire 102. At block206, the method 200 includes positioning an electromagnetic sensor 112at the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102. At block 208, the method200 includes positioning a polymeric tube 114 around at least a portionof the guide wire 102 and at least a portion of the electromagneticsensor 112. At block 210, the method 200 includes applying a heat sourceto at least a portion of the polymeric tube 114.

In one example of the method 200 described above, applying the heatsource to at least a portion of the polymeric tube 114 comprisesapplying the heat source adjacent the proximal end 106 of the guide wire102 to secure the first connector 108 to the proximal end 106 of theguide wire 102. In another example of the method 200, applying the heatsource to at least a portion of the polymeric tube 114 comprisesapplying the heat source adjacent the distal end 104 of the guide wire102 to secure the electromagnetic sensor 112 to the distal end 104 ofthe guide wire 102.

As described above, the electromagnetic sensor 112 is potted in epoxyprior to being coupled to the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102. Inanother example, the electromagnetic sensor 112 is coupled to the distalend 104 of the guide wire 102 by being potted in epoxy. In yet anotherexample, the electromagnetic sensor 112 is secured to the distal end 104of the guide wire 102 via a radio frequency tipping die.

Referring to FIG. 7, a flowchart for a method 300 of treating a sinuscavity of a subject is shown according to an example. The method stepsof method 300 may be carried out at least in part by the guide wiresystem 100 as described above in relation to FIGS. 1-5. Method 300 mayinclude one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated byone or more of blocks 302-308. Although the blocks are illustrated in asequential order, these blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/orin a different order than those described herein. Also, the variousblocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additionalblocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

As shown in FIG. 7, at block 302 the method 300 includes inserting adistal portion of a guide wire system into a lumen of a balloon dilationcatheter. The guide wire system may include any one of the features ofthe guide wire system 100 described above, including (i) a guide wirehaving a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the guide wire comprisesa superelastic material that is configured to (1) transition from afirst configuration to a second configuration responsive to a forceapplied to the guide wire and (2) return from the second configurationto the first configuration responsive to the force being removed fromthe guide wire, (ii) a first connector coupled to the proximal end ofthe guide wire, (iii) a second connector coupled to the guide wirebetween the distal end and the proximal end, (iv) an electromagneticsensor coupled to the distal end of the guide wire, and (v) a polymerictube surrounding at least a portion of the guide wire and at least aportion of the electromagnetic sensor. The balloon dilation catheterincludes: (i) an inner guide member including the lumen, and (ii) amovable shaft coupled to a balloon and mounted on the inner guidemember, wherein the balloon dilation catheter is configured to allow themovable shaft to move along the inner guide member and prevent themovable shaft from rotating around the inner guide member.

At block 304, the method 300 includes coupling the second connector ofthe guide wire system to the balloon dilation catheter such the distalend of the guide wire is fixed with respect to a distal end of theballoon dilation catheter. At block 306, the method 300 includesdirecting the distal end of the guide wire and the distal end of theballoon dilation catheter simultaneously to a drainage pathway of thesinus cavity using data received from the electromagnetic sensor. Atblock 308, the method includes inflating the balloon.

In one example, when the second connector 110 is coupled to the balloondilation catheter, the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 is alignedwith a distal end of the balloon dilation catheter. In another example,when the second connector 110 is coupled to the balloon dilationcatheter, the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 extends distally froma distal end of the balloon dilation catheter. In one example, themethod 300 can further include re-positioning the inner guide memberbased at least in part on a determined location of the distal end 104 ofthe guide wire 102 with respect to the sinus cavity. In another example,the method 300 can further include (i) prior to re-positioning thedistal end of the balloon dilation catheter, deflating the balloon, and(ii) re-inflating the balloon once the distal end of the balloondilation catheter is re-positioned. In one example, the drainage pathwayof the sinus comprises the frontal recess of the frontal sinus cavity.Further, in one example the first connector comprises a pin connector,and wherein the second connector comprises a bayonet connectorconfigured to interact with a complementary bayonet connector of theballoon dilation catheter to thereby couple the guide wire system to theballoon dilation catheter.

Referring to FIG. 8, a flowchart for another method 400 of treating asinus cavity of a subject is shown according to an example. The methodsteps of method 400 may be carried out at least in part by the guidewire system 100 as described above in relation to FIGS. 1-5. Method 400may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustratedby one or more of blocks 402-412. Although the blocks are illustrated ina sequential order, these blocks may also be performed in parallel,and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also, thevarious blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided intoadditional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

As shown in FIG. 8, at block 402 the method 400 includes inserting aportion of the guide wire system 100 of any of the examples describedabove into a nostril of the subject. At block 404, the method 400includes directing the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 to adrainage pathway of the sinus cavity using data received from theelectromagnetic sensor 112. At block 406, the method 400 includes, whilethe distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 is in the drainage pathway,positioning a balloon dilation catheter over the guide wire 102. Theballoon dilation catheter includes: (i) an inner guide member includinga lumen, and (ii) a movable shaft coupled to a balloon and mounted onthe inner guide member, wherein the balloon dilation catheter isconfigured to allow the movable shaft to move along the inner guidemember and prevent the movable shaft from rotating around the innerguide member. At block 408, the method 400 includes directing the innerguide member over the guide wire to the drainage pathway of the sinuscavity. At block 410, the method 400 includes advancing the movableshaft and balloon over the inner guide member to place the balloon inthe drainage pathway while keeping the inner guide member staticrelative to the drainage pathway. At block 412, the method 400 includesinflating the balloon.

In one example, when the second connector 110 is coupled to the balloondilation catheter, the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 is alignedwith a distal end of the balloon dilation catheter. In another example,when the second connector 110 is coupled to the balloon dilationcatheter, the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 extends distally froma distal end of the balloon dilation catheter. In one example, themethod 400 can further include re-positioning the inner guide memberbased at least in part on a determined location of the distal end 104 ofthe guide wire 102 with respect to the sinus cavity.

Referring to FIG. 9, a flowchart for another method 500 of treating asinus cavity of a subject is shown according to an example. The methodsteps of method 500 may be carried out at least in part by the guidewire system 100 as described above in relation to FIGS. 1-5. Method 500may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustratedby one or more of blocks 502-512. Although the blocks are illustrated ina sequential order, these blocks may also be performed in parallel,and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also, thevarious blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided intoadditional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

As shown in FIG. 9, at block 502 the method 500 includes inserting adistal portion of a balloon dilation catheter into a nostril of thesubject. The balloon dilation catheter includes: (i) an inner guidemember including a lumen, and (ii) a movable shaft coupled to a balloonand mounted on the inner guide member, wherein the balloon dilationcatheter is configured to allow the movable shaft to move along theinner guide member and prevent the movable shaft from rotating aroundthe inner guide member. At block 504, the method 500 includes directingthe inner guide member to a drainage pathway of the sinus cavity. Atblock 506, the method 500 includes advancing the movable shaft andballoon over the inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainagepathway while keeping the inner guide member static relative to thedrainage pathway. At block 508, the method 500 includes, while theballoon is in the drainage pathway, inserting the guide wire system 100of any of the examples described above into the lumen of the inner guidemember. At block 510, the method 500 includes advancing the guide wiresystem through the lumen until the distal end 104 of the guide wire 102is aligned with a distal end of the inner guide member. At block 512,the method 500 includes inflating the balloon.

In one example, the method 500 can further include re-positioning theinner guide member based at least in part on a determined location ofthe distal end 104 of the guide wire 102 with respect to the sinuscavity.

The methods described herein can be utilized effectively with any of theexamples or variations of the devices and systems described above, aswell as with other examples and variations not described explicitly inthis document. The features of any of the devices or device componentsdescribed in any of the examples herein can be used in any othersuitable example of a device or device component.

It should be understood that arrangements described herein are forpurposes of example only. As such, those skilled in the art willappreciate that other arrangements and other elements (e.g. machines,interfaces, functions, orders, and groupings of functions, etc.) can beused instead, and some elements may be omitted altogether according tothe desired results. Further, many of the elements that are describedare functional entities that may be implemented as discrete ordistributed components or in conjunction with other components, in anysuitable combination and location, or other structural elementsdescribed as independent structures may be combined.

While various aspects and examples have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thevarious aspects and examples disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopebeing indicated by the following claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular examples only, and is not intended to be limiting.

1. A guide wire system comprising: a guide wire having a distal end anda proximal end, wherein the guide wire comprises a superelastic materialthat is configured to (i) transition from a first configuration to asecond configuration responsive to a force applied to the guide wire and(ii) return from the second configuration to the first configurationresponsive to the force being removed from the guide wire; a firstconnector coupled to the proximal end of the guide wire; a secondconnector coupled to the guide wire between the distal end and theproximal end; an electromagnetic sensor coupled to the distal end of theguide wire; and a polymeric tube surrounding at least a portion of theguide wire and at least a portion of the electromagnetic sensor.
 2. Theguide wire system of claim 1, wherein the superelastic materialcomprises nitinol.
 3. The guide wire system of claim 1, wherein thefirst connector comprises a pin connector.
 4. The guide wire system ofclaim 3, wherein the first connector comprises a 10-pin connector. 5.The guide wire system of claim 1, wherein the second connector comprisesa bayonet connector configured to interact with a complementary bayonetconnector of a balloon dilation catheter to thereby couple the guidewire system to the balloon dilation catheter.
 6. The guide wire systemof claim 1, wherein the guide wire includes a lubricious coating.
 7. Theguide wire system of claim 1, wherein a stiffness of the guide wire isconstant along an entire length of the guide wire from the proximal endto the distal end.
 8. The guide wire system of claim 1, wherein astiffness of a distal portion of the guide wire is less than a stiffnessof a proximal portion of the guide wire.
 9. The guide wire system ofclaim 8, wherein a length of the distal portion of the guide wire isless than a length of the proximal portion of the guide wire.
 10. Theguide wire system of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the guide wire isconstant along an entire length of the guide wire from the proximal endto the distal end.
 11. The guide wire system of claim 1, wherein adiameter of a distal portion of the guide wire is less than a diameterof a proximal portion of the guide wire.
 12. The guide wire system ofclaim 1, wherein a diameter of the guide wire is about 0.4 mm to about 1mm.
 13. The guide wire system of claim 1, wherein the first connectorincludes a flexible circuit, wherein the flexible circuit includes amemory chip configured to transmit an identification of the guide wiresystem to an image guided surgery system when the first connector iscoupled to the image guided surgery system.
 14. The guide wire system ofclaim 1, wherein the polymeric tube surrounds at least a portion of thefirst connector, and wherein the first connector is secured to theproximal end of the guide wire via a heat bond between the polymerictube and the guide wire.
 15. The guide wire system of claim 1, whereinthe electromagnetic sensor is potted by an epoxy.
 16. The guide wiresystem of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic sensor is secured to thedistal end of the guide wire via a radio frequency tipping die.
 17. Theguide wire system of claim 1, wherein the second connector is coupled toa handpiece of balloon dilation catheter, and wherein a geometry of thesecond connector to the handpiece allows a user to set a desireddistance between the distal end of the guide wire and a distal end ofthe balloon dilation catheter.
 18. The guide wire system of claim 1,further comprising a camera positioned at the distal end of the guidewire.
 19. The guide wire system of claim 1, the guide wire has astraight shape in the first configuration and a bent shape in the secondconfiguration.
 20. The guide wire system of claim 1, wherein the guidewire system is reusable. 21.-30. (canceled)